Thoughts for the New Year...

January 1, 2013

It has been a long time since I last posted and so many things have happened! I am not even sure where to begin! The thing about blogging is I have a problem with trying to catch up when I get behind, then I am soooo far behind that catching up is impossible. So, with this new year comes a new post and, hopefully, more regular updates!

This journey started in Summer, 2010. When I came to Korea, I planned on staying one year, then returning home. When that year came to a close, jobs were difficult to come by back home, so I made the decision to stay in Korea and took a position in Suwon at a university where I teach English to young adults. I can honestly say, I love my job! It is rewarding and challenging and different every single day. Again, when taking the position at the university, I was uncertain as to how long I would stay. Now, the longer I stay, I find it more and more difficult to even imagine leaving! I mean, I have wonderful friends, a fantastic job, a beautiful apartment, a loving boyfriend, and a good, good life here. On the other hand, I greatly miss my friends and family back home, but it all seems to come down to this one thing: a job. 

The Ever-Present Question
"When are you coming home?" I swear, I get asked this at least twice a week if not more! The answer is simple. I have no idea. I know I will be in Korea until at least the end of 2013, and it is highly likely I will stay another year beyond that...maybe longer. Honestly, I really just don't know. It is hard to compare my job now and my lifestyle to my counterparts in the States. While my life is not a bed of roses and far from perfect, it is comfortable and relatively stress-free. 

Why I Stay
While it is not always easy living in another country, there are many perks that I do not have in the USA. While living in Korea, I can travel to other countries relatively cheaply, I am experiencing cultures I have only read about in textbooks, and I am providing an avenue for my sons to experience life outside of the United States. My oldest son, Brandon, has visited Korea twice and seen things he has only dreamed about. My youngest, Bryan, lives here in Korea with me. We vacationed in Taiwan last summer and he is making international friendships that will last a lifetime. My boys are learning to respect people from all walks of life and they try to understand cultural differences and respect those differences. It's so fun to watch them experience life this way!!

Thoughts for 2013
As we move into 2013, I hope that my experience in Korea continues to be positive. I never imagined when I came here almost two and a half years ago that I would have the experiences I have had. I have met some amazing people from around the world and now have friends in virtually every corner of the globe. The decision to move to Korea did not only affect me, but also my family. Fortunately, it was a good decision and has been a remarkable journey for me and my boys. I hope that you will find the curiosity rising in you and you, too, will do something a little crazy this year. You never know where you may end up and the adventure that awaits you!

Happy New Year!

Settling in Suwon...

Less than two weeks ago, I made the move to my new city...Suwon, South Korea, and embarked on another chapter of my life in Korea. I have a new apartment (with no furniture at the moment), a new job (which I am completely happy with), and a new city to explore (which is MUCH bigger than my sweet little town of Uljin!).  

Here are just a few things I have experienced in the past few weeks.

Renting an Apartment: It sucks! Housing in the city is very difficult to acquire...well, decent housing. I think I should do an entire blog post on renting in Korea, but I must say here that it is a challenge not meant for the weak-minded. Everything from the deposit to the actual rent is negotiable and can change on a moments notice. Oh, the things I could say! Regardless, I did find a very, very nice place in the center of the city close to shopping and other amenities. Ok, so finding the apartment sucks, but the actual apartment is FABULOUS!!!

Moving: It sucks! That's about all I can say about that. I moved from Uljin to my friend's apartment while waiting for mine to be ready, then moved into mine. Additionally, I still had stuff in Uljin that had to be moved to Suwon. This is NOT an easy feat! Through another friend, I was able to secure a mover and got all of my belongings in one place. Whew! While challenging, it was managed and now all of my things are in my new apartment. I just have to unpack...

Driving in the City: It sucks! The traffic in Suwon is insanely busy and not at all like my sleepy Uljin town. It is going to take some getting used to, but I think I may be a bit too scared to actually drive my scooter here. Oh, how I love my little scooter, but I love living more and don't want to find myself plastered to the pavement. I am considering selling him to a new, less-afraid, driver, but I must think on this some more. Regardless, traffic is insane, but still nothing compared to Seoul!

Purchasing Appliances and Furniture: It sucks! Not being able to speak Korean can make this a bit challenging. Even if one manages to find a good deal on something, a truck of some sort must be procured in order to move said items to new abode. Ugh. However, it has been kind of fun scouring the second-had stores and looking for good items. I also managed to find a lovely Korean high school girl who has been acting as a translator for me. Oh, Katy! I am soooo happy you are here!

Riding buses and subways and cabs-Oh my! It doesn't totally suck, but it can be frustrating to get on the wrong bus going the wrong way at the wrong time...ugh!! On a positive note, I have discovered many useful places and things on my little mishaps including a Goodwill and good restaurants. See, it's not all bad~

This transition has been a bit more challenging than my initial transition to Korea. I think it is because of two things. One, I was scheduled to fly home this weekend after completing my one year contract. I was looking forward to seeing family and friends, especially my oldest son, Brandon, but I could not secure a job in the States. Second, I have had to do many more things on my own, such as finding an apartment, securing furnishings, finding my way around a big city. Overall, I cannot complain. I have a great job in a beautiful city. I'm living in a three bedroom/two bath apartment near a gorgeous park for the same price as I would pay for a studio back home. I have my youngest son here with me and friends across the country and around the world. This is one wild ride, but at least it is an awesome adventure! :-)

Saying Farewell to Uljin

It is hard to believe a year has passed since I first began preparations to come to Korea. Now, the time has come to bid farewell to my little seaside town and the precious friends I have made here. 

To process the thought of leaving my comfortable place, knowing I will never live here again, I began reflecting on the past year and what it has brought to me.There have been times of emotional highs as well as times of devastating, overwhelming sadness. Never will I forget the late nights of noraebang with my friends or the thought provoking trivia nights. The drives on my scooter up and down the east coast brought me so much joy with the warm sun on my face and the incredible scenery to take in! Walking to the market from my little apartment to get fresh fruits and veggies as well as the best chicken in town or taking my hot pink bicycle out for a spin were just little joys that put a smile on my face. Walking to work and having children shout, "Angela Teachuh", then running up to me so we could share some time as we walked to school together is simply priceless. Having a great job with a fabulous boss was icing on the cake. So many of my expat friends had difficult working conditions. My school was excellent! 


I also had the privilege of having one of my friends, Jen, come to Korea and visit me in April! That trip did wonders for me! It was so nice to have a little slice of home here with me and sharing my little joys of Korea was so much fun! The arrival of my 16 year old son, Bryan, to Korea in June brought me unspeakable joy! Sharing my simple life here with him brings me joy that is beyond words. Watching my friends accept my son and embrace him as the "little brother" of our tight-knit group brought on feelings I cannot even describe. They are wonderful people and memories will be forever cherished.


Being alone in a foreign country can also be quite sad at times. There are days where homesickness is overwhelming and just thinking about the distance separating you from your family and friends back home is exasperating and terrifying. The time sometimes seems to go fast and other times it seems to crawl. However, I have to admit, the good times over the past year far exceed the sad.


Though it is hard for me to say "farewell" to my little seaside town, I am excited about my next adventure as a university professor. It has been a dream of mine to teach on the university level and now I will. The good thing is that I will still be in Korea and can visit Uljin any time I want. I must remember that this is not "goodbye"; it is only "until we meet again". So long, Uljin. You will forever have a special place in my heart and will never be forgotten.

My next move...

The time finally arrived when I had to make a decision...do I stay or do I go? After being in Korea for close to one year, one has to weigh all options and decide if it is time to return to the homeland or stay a bit longer and see what happens. 


I have spent the last two months combing job boards (mostly www.eslcafe.com) and applying for positions both in Korea and back home. I applied for several types of positions, including private academies, public schools, and universities. I was interviewed and offered one position at a public middle school. I turned it down because of money and benefits. I then was accepted by EPIK (English Program In Korea) to teach in the public school system in the city of my choice. This looked like a good option, so I hung on to it for a minute, then decided it was just not what I wanted. Then came the offer from a private academy near Seoul. Hmmm..good pay, good housing, benefits not bad, but it still seemed like a dead end. What exactly did I want? None of these jobs were "bad", they just were not the right fit. Oh, and as far as jobs back home, I did not get so much as one single rejection letter.


I decided to really think about what I wanted in my next job. I decided on the salary I would accept and the benefits that were negotiable and non-negotiable. I created a target: University positions only. Now, let me explain how this works. Universities don't use recruiters. The easiest way to get in is to know somebody who knows somebody who can put in a good word for you. Then, you have to be in the right place at the right time. Competition is fierce and I was told by anyone and everyone who currently works in a university that this was the case. They were right. I cannot tell you the amount of resumes I sent out. Then I started getting responses from these universities. Then interviews. Then an offer! Then a better offer!!


I have finally settled on a position and will start the next phase of my career as a University Professor at a well-known university in South Korea. I'm excited, blessed, happy, and content with this decision. I'm looking forward to another year in Korea and advancing my teaching career in a new way.

So, you want to teach in Korea??

I seem to have been contacted fairly often lately by people wanting to work in Korea. I always find myself offering the same advice over and over, so I am putting it here so everyone can use it!


Now, on to the questions...


Q: What should I expect in terms of pay?
A: Most private academies start around 2.1 or 2.2 million won per month which equates to about $2,000 USD per month (give or take a few bucks). Public school pay varies greatly depending on experience and location. The lowest for your first year would be 1.8 million won and can go up to about 2.3 or 2.4 million won. Again, this varies by location. Visit this site for more detailed information. http://www.teachaway.com/content/epik-english-program-korea-public-school-jobs-korea


Q: What about benefits?
A: Free, furnished housing along with airfare and insurance are pretty standard. There is a pension plan also which, as Americans and Canadians, you get back upon departure. Vacation at hagwons (private academies) is usually 10 days, however, public schools start at 18 days and go up from there depending on location.


Q: How do I know if it is a good school?
A: My first stop would be http://hagwonblacklist.tripod.com/public_html/list.html. If the school you are considering is on this list, steer clear! Of course, you can always check the "green" list for good schools, though this is not updated as often. http://greenlist.tokyojon.com/


Once you have checked this list, I STRONGLY advise speaking to the current foreign teacher. If they refuse to allow you to speak to them, steer clear.


Q: What should I ask the current foreign teacher?
A: Here's the list of "must ask" questions:
1. How long have you been there? (If they have been there for over one year, the school is probably doing something right)
2. Are you paid on time? (no brainer here...common problem at hagwons)
3. Tell me about the housing. (many of us put up a video on youtube)
4. Do you get along with the Korean teachers? 
5. Tell me about the curriculum. (If they say, "Oh, you just do whatever you want", run!!)
6. How do you schedule your vacation time? (Many hagwons have specific time your vacation is allowed. Find out if it is only when the school is closed for summer and winter break or if you can take a vacation when you need it.)
7. Why are you leaving the school? (if applicable)


Q: Should I use a recruiter or just get hired by the school?
A: That is totally up to you, but I would advise getting a recommendation for a good recruiter from someone who is already teaching in Korea. Additionally, never, ever, ever pay a recruiter to find a job for you. Nope, nope, nope....don't do it! I recommend my recruiter at People Recruit http://www.peoplerecruit.com/ and many people have had a good bit of luck with Footprints Recruiting http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/ .


I think that just about covers the basics. Of course, I have only worked at a hagwon, so there may be other things to do/ask when applying for a public school position. Regardless, speaking to the current teacher is highly recommended. 


If you have any specific questions, please leave a comment and I'll get back to you! Good luck!

So long, for now...

On the Subway in Seoul

Making good friends can be challenging as an expat and not having one of those good friends around can be even more difficult. This morning I bid farewell to yet another good friend I met here in Korea who is returning to the States for a month-long visit, then returning to another city about four hours from me. Megan is quite a bit younger than me, but we have had some incredibly good times together. She says when she first met me outside that little coffee shop in Pohang, she thought of me as "the cool aunt". LOL... We have laughed together, cried together, stayed up way too late together, and just acted plain silly. She has a joy about her that is contagious and people want to be around her.


I think sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day activities, we forget to let our "surrogate family", aka expat friends, know just how much they mean to us. It is tough to be in a country where the language is not familiar and the alphabet looks like kindergarten line drawings. These people who share the same language and customs are cherished. For all rights and purposes, they are our family. Megan is part of my family now. Although it's hard to think of this chapter of our fun escapades in Pohang ending, it is exciting to know she gets to see her family and will return to Korea in a month for another year of memory making events.


So long, my friend. Safe travels and I'll see you soon!

12 Weeks left...

This time last year I had just begun what has proven to be one of the biggest adventures of my life so far. It all started with an email inviting me to work in Abu Dhabi that got me to start thinking seriously about teaching overseas. I mean, I had always wanted to travel and teach, but never thought it was possible. But it was!! Who thought I'd ever end up in Korea?? Wow.

So, here I am with 12 weeks left on my one year contract. The debate now is "Should I stay or should I go?" At the time of this writing, the answer is to stay in Korea. I have applied for positions back home, but the economy is still rough and it is difficult to even get an interview, not to mention an actual job. However, I have had numerous interviews for new jobs in Korea. Just yesterday I received an official contract offer from a private school and I have also been approved for a position with the public school system (EPIK). Decisions are tough, but must be made.

A lot has happened these past 10 months, including the much anticipated arrival of my youngest son, Bryan, in Korea. I'm thrilled at his adventurous spirit and his willingness to hop on my hot pink bicycle and pedal all around Uljin, exploring new places and seeing new things. He is frustrated at not being able to read Hangul, but is polite and the shopkeepers are kind to him. He has visited my school and talked with my students, been fishing in the ocean, rode on the back of my scooter, been to parties and noraebang (Korean karaoke), and experienced some night life in Seoul. Not bad for 10 days in a foreign country as a 16 year old American teenager! Of course, this is a SMALL town and there are no hot, juicy hamburgers or thick, juicy steaks to be enjoyed here. Nor are there any other western English speaking teens. We're taking a short trip this weekend and I plan to surprise him with a hot, delicious, all-beef hamburger. He'll be in heaven!

I'm looking forward to the next 12 weeks and the adventures we'll have. Mud Festival is just around the corner...


Until next time...